It has been a few weeks since Glasgow full-back Stuart Hogg got the call from Andy Robinson informing him that he was in the Scotland training squad for the RBS 6 Nations, and the reality is still sinking in.

Scarlets midfield pair Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams have already made their mark on the international stage, including a first start together in the World Cup thrashing of Namibia.

Already a fully qualified pilot at 21, Dragons winger Adam Hughes was a headline writer's dream when his try-scoring exploits catapulted him onto the scene last season.

As commentator for Irish radio station RTE, Michael Corcoran is normally the one asking the questions.

The path has been cleared for Europe's first all-Ireland final or, failing that, the possibility of the capital teams of Scotland and Wales getting there instead.

Wales lock Luke Charteris will be leaving the Dragons next season with Darren Edwards' blessing but the head coach insists he cannot afford to lose rising stars such as Toby Faletau.

Ever since Toulouse kicked the whole thing off on the Black Sea during the autumn of 1995, the Celts have never quite managed to claim a majority among the top eight in Europe writes Peter Jackson.

As an 18-year-old Paul Marshall stood in awe on the terraces at Ravenhill as he witnessed Ulster achieve one of their greatest ever results - a 33-0 demolition of Leicester Tigers.

Connacht stalwart Michael Swift has experienced pretty much everything in his 11 seasons at the Galway, but finally reaching the promised-land of the Heineken Cup is one that he will cherish well into his retirement.

Ever since the Irish began turning the rugby map of Europe into forty shades of green, they have never quite managed to get three teams into the last eight, writes Peter Jackson.

For a front-row forward there are few tougher places to make your international debut than away in Paris, but as a callow 23-year-old Moray Low did just that.

There are certain initials in Wales which carry with them the same weight as 'JFK' or 'FDR' in America, but Scarlets boss Nigel Davies had no qualms about labelling Liam Williams the new 'JPR'.

For a man with a breakthrough year like Lloyd Burns had it would have taken a lot to end the 12 months on a downer.

As predictions go it would have taken some believing, that by the end of Hogmanay Scotland's two professional rugby teams would draw bigger crowds than some of the country's Premier League football clubs.

Two 1872 derbies in a week would be tough to take for anyone, but after getting his first taste of the Glasgow-Edinburgh rivalry, Troy Nathan can't wait to do it all over again.

In recent years Ireland have been blessed with ferocious forwards, heroic half-backs and colossal centres yet when it comes to the wings it's been much of a muchness - but all that might be about the change.

After 14 years at the sharp end of the grunt trade for province and country, 'The Bull' has been put out to graze. Wherever John Hayes goes in the weeks and months to come, the roar of the crowd will still be ringing in his ears.

After two years south of the border with the Doncaster Knights, Steven Lawrie opted to return to boyhood club Edinburgh this summer and the 27-year-old is already making up for lost time.

Giant Aironi lock Carlo Del Fava helped make history earlier this year as part of the first Italian side to claim the scalp of France in the RBS 6 Nations.

If Glasgow Warriors seasons were like fine wines, then last campaign was an extremely poor vintage for Sean Lineen's men.